Chapter 13 - The Sister Beneath Black RidgeGerard's greatest secret was alive, and Briggs finally had the hostage he needed.
They rode through the storm.
Gerard said almost nothing.
Ariel stayed beside him.
Finally she asked:
"What is her name?"
"Isabella."
"What happened to her?"
"I was sixteen."
He stared at the road.
"My father refused Briggs's offer. Then one night, the cabin burned."
"Our parents died."
"I was told Isabella died too."
"But she didn't."
"No."
Ruby had learned from a miner that a woman matching Isabella's description had been held in an underground chamber beneath Black Ridge for years.
When they arrived, they found a hidden entrance.
Gerard went first.
Ariel followed.
They reached a chamber.
A woman sat chained to the wall.
Gerard stopped breathing.
"Isabella."
The woman lifted her head.
Gray eyes.
Same family.
She stared.
Then whispered:
"Gerard?"
He crossed the room.
They embraced.
For the first time, Ariel saw Gerard break.
Not with anger.
With grief.
Isabella told them the truth.
Their father had discovered the underground water reserve.
Briggs wanted it.
Their father refused.
Briggs killed him.
Isabella escaped but was captured years later.
Arthur had been investigating Briggs.
He found Isabella.
He sent Ariel the warning.
But Briggs intercepted the letter.
He had used Isabella as leverage.
Ariel understood.
"Then Arthur wasn't betraying me."
Isabella shook her head.
"He was trying to protect you."
Ariel lowered her eyes.
"I thought..."
"I know."
Isabella smiled.
"You've been through a lot."
Ariel looked at Gerard.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Gerard answered:
"Because I had spent too many years losing people."
He took her hand.
"I couldn't bear losing you after telling you everything."
Suddenly, a bell rang.
Briggs's voice echoed through the chamber.
"Family reunion."
Ariel's blood froze.
Briggs appeared on the upper walkway.
He held a revolver against Isabella's head.
Gerard raised his rifle.
"Let her go."
Briggs laughed.
"You still think this is about land?"
Ariel looked up.
"What do you want?"
Briggs smiled.
"You."
She froze.
"Me?"
"Your signature."
He held up a document.
"The transfer deed."
Gerard stepped forward.
"No."
Briggs pressed the gun against Isabella.
"Sign."
Ariel looked at Gerard.
He shook his head.
Don't.
She understood.
This was the choice they had been building toward.
Her freedom.
Gerard's life.
Isabella's life.
The entire valley.
She picked up the pen.
Briggs smiled.
"Smart girl."
Ariel signed.
Then she looked at him.
"You should read the whole document."
Briggs frowned.
He looked down.
His face changed.
Ariel had added one sentence beneath her signature.
Transferred property includes all debts, criminal liabilities, and existing federal claims against the owner.
Briggs stared.
"You little—"
May you like
The chamber exploded with gunfire.
And the mountain began to collapse.
